How to do a J-turn

This article was taken from the September issue of Wired UK
magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before
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If you've seen a car chase in a film, chances are you've seen a
J-turn. This is performed when a protagonist is suddenly confronted
by danger and realises the only way out is behind him (and very
occasionally her): the driver reverses quickly, spins the car in a
graceful arc and drives off without leaving the road.

"If you're learning defensive driving, in the army or as a
chauffeur, it's a key skill," says Mauro Calo, a precision stunt
driver and senior driving specialist for Mercedes- Benz and McLaren
SLR who founded the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows Stunt Display Team.
The theory is simple, but if you're not used to handling your car
while skidding and driving backwards, it's tough.

A few caveats

This is all a lot easier in a longer-wheelbase car, as it pivots
more slowly, explains Mauro Calo. It's also simpler with a
manual-drive, and if you have a car with ESP (electronic stability
program, nothing psychic), you need to turn it off. Practise
somewhere sensible - not on the main road. If you can, find a
smooth, low-friction surface - wet, flat Tarmac is best. And check
your insurance policy.

Control a skid

1. Put the car (ideally a rear-wheel drive)
into a long, gentle turn. While doing this circle, get up to about
20mph. Remain in second gear. Notice how, if you accelerate, it
affects the balance and grip of the car as it turns.

2. Give the throttle a good, positive stab to
break the traction. You should now be skidding, and the rear of the
car will spin out. The more you accelerate, the more you provoke
your slide and the greater the angle of the car.

3. When the car loses grip, remove the cause of
the skid (excess power) by coming off the throttle and turning the
wheels in the direction you want to go.

4. As the car straightens up, straighten the
wheels up. If you start spinning the other way, just turn back.
It's all about managing the weight of the car. Once you've done
this a few times, your awareness of what's actually happening
around you while you're skidding will increase. When you're
comfortable performing longer skids, and you understand what is
happening to the direction of your momentum, try the J-turn.

The J-turn

1. Check your surroundings. Turn off ESP. Put
the car in reverse.

2. Move off and get up to 17 to 20mph. You need
to be moving fairly swiftly so that there's less likelihood of
rolling the car. Get ready - the next bit happens quickly.

3. When you're ready to manoeuvre, push in the
clutch, hit the brakes hard, and spin the steering wheel at least
one complete revolution. Be violent with it: you need to fool the
car into spinning all the way.

4. The car starts turning. Once your turn is
approaching 90°, start to straighten up the wheel, but not all the
way.

5. Put the car into second gear (never first),
but don't lift up the clutch until you're facing the right
direction or you'll continue to spin.